Burroughs, Hartzell power Golden Falcons to twinbill sweep

BENSON -- Meredith Burroughs and Ivy Hartzell combined to smash five home runs, and the Charles B. Aycock softball team swept a doubleheader from perennial 4-A powerhouse West Johnston on Saturday afternoon.

Burroughs crushed two home runs and collected four RBI for the Golden Falcons, who won the opener, 11-5. Hartzell belted two round-trippers and Burroughs added her third homer of the day in a 16-7 victory in the nightcap.

Aycock extended its win streak to 13 games.

"That's a great way to end our Easter break," Golden Falcons head coach Brad Matthews said. "I was very pleased with the way we swung the bat all the way through the lineup off some quality pitchers."

The Golden Falcons (16-2 overall) piled up 34 hits in the doubleheader and scored runs in 10 of 14 innings. Matthews' team has scored 10 or more runs in 16 outings this season.

Burroughs, a sophomore infielder, just missed hitting for the cycle in game one. She tripled and singled as part of her four-hit, four-RBI performance.

Brooke Bell contributed three hits and an RBI. Misty Edwards (RBI), Reagan Herndon and Cierra Harris (RBI) recorded two hits apiece. Hartzell (RBI) and Breanna Brown each had one hit. Connor Davis drove in a run.

Aycock used four pitchers -- Bell, Burroughs, Harris and Savannah Briggs. Burroughs tossed 22/3 innings and Harris provided two innings of no-hit relief. Bell earned the win inside the circle, working 11/3 innings and permitting two runs on two hits while striking out three.

Briggs threw one inning.

Hartzell collected five RBI and batted 4-for-4 in game two. Bell (two RBI), Harris (two RBI) and Davis (RBI) cranked out three hits apiece. Edwards (two RBI) and Herndon (RBI) each pounded out two hits.

Burroughs homered with an RBI, while Katie Gay had a hit and an RBI.

Bell logged her second win inside the circle, striking out four and giving up three hits in 22/3 innings. Briggs permitted four hits in two innings. Burroughs worked one inning and Harris toed the rubber for 11/3 innings.

The Golden Falcons did not commit an error in either game.

"I was also pleased with our defensive effort," Matthews said. "I had girls playing in different positions and we adjusted well. West Johnston put the ball in play with some pop."